Stapling device

Abstract

To allow a single stapling device to easily function as both an eyeglass-clinch stapling device and a flat-clinch stapling device, the stapling device includes a staple delivering portion (a knock pin) delivering a staple, a supporting table (a platform) for paper, and a clincher bending legs of the staple. The staple delivering portion, the supporting table, and the clincher are relatively movable. The stapling device further includes a controller (an operation timing controller) variably controlling timings when the staple delivering portion and the clincher move relative to the supporting table.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A stapling device comprising:
 a staple delivering portion configured to deliver a staple having legs; 
 a supporting table configured to support paper; 
 a clincher configured to bend the legs of the delivered staple, wherein the staple delivering portion is movable relative to the supporting table and the clincher is movable relative to the supporting table; 
 a controller configured to select between two timing modes to control a timing of the movement of the staple delivering portion and the clincher relative to the supporting table, wherein:
 the controller includes a first timing mode and a second timing mode; 
 in the first timing mode, the controller causes the clincher to contact the supporting table or the paper before the staple pierces the paper, and 
 in the second timing mode, the controller causes the clincher to contact the supporting table or the paper after the staple has pierced the paper. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The stapling device of  claim 1 , wherein
 in the first timing mode, the clincher contacting the supporting table or the paper before the staple pierces the paper causes the staple to be clinched in an eyeglass-clinching manner. 
 
     
     
       3. The stapling device of  claim 1 , wherein
 in the second timing mode, the clincher contacting the supporting table or the paper after the staple pierces the paper causes the staple to be clinched in a flat-clinching manner. 
 
     
     
       4. The stapling device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a motor driving at least one of the staple delivering portion, the supporting table, or the clincher, wherein 
 the controller is configured to control the driving by the motor of the at least one of the staple delivering portion, the supporting table, or the clincher.